Five Cheese Pasta Recipes

FIVE-CHEESE RIGATONI

Steps:

• Cook rigatoni according to package directions. , Preheat oven to 375°. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually stir in milk; bring to a boil. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in Swiss, fontina, mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan and 1/4 cup Romano cheeses until melted. , Drain rigatoni; stir in cheese sauce. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Cover and bake 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly.

FIVE-CHEESE ZITI AL FORNO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente; drain., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, 1 cup mozzarella and the ricotta, provolone and Romano. Cook over medium heat until sauce begins to simmer and cheeses are melted. Stir in cooked pasta; pour mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese., In a small bowl, stir together Parmesan, bread crumbs, garlic and olive oil; sprinkle over the pasta., Bake, uncovered, until mixture is bubbly and topping is golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.Freeze option: Cool the unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Cover casserole with foil; bake 50 minutes. Uncover; bake until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°, 15-20 minutes longer.

5-CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli and cook for 1 to 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and remove all but 2 tablespoons of the grease from the skillet. Add the thyme, onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and cook until mostly evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cream and heat until bubbly, 30 seconds. Gradually add the fontina, Cheddar, Romano and Gruyère in handfuls, letting each combine with the cream before adding the next.
• Add the pasta to the skillet along with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Toss everything together, thinning with the reserved pasta water if needed. Divide the pasta into 8-ounce individual gratin dishes (or 1 flameproof casserole dish) and set on a baking sheet. Divide the mozzarella pearls over the top of the pasta.
• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to broil.
• Broil on the center rack until the mozzarella pearls are brown and the pasta is bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and garnish with the cooked bacon and sliced scallion greens.

FIVE CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Put a large pan of boiling salted water on and bring to the boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook until very al dente. The dish will be finished in the oven so you dont want the pasta too well cooked. Meanwhile, place the tomatoes on the vine into a roasting pan and drizzle with a little oil and some balsamic vinegar. Season and bake in a moderate oven for 20 mins or until the skins are starting to colour and pucker. Mix the prepared cheeses into a large bowl with the cream. The mixture will seem very thick but this will all melt down in the oven. Season and mix well, but will need more pepper than salt as the cheeses are quite salty, especially the parmesan, tast a little as you go. Once the tomatoes are cooked, remove from the vine and mix into the cheese mix, crushing them a little as you go. Add the drained pasta and mix well. Check for seasoning and place into either small gratin dishes and cook individually or into a large ovenproof dish. Scatter generousely with the breadcrumbs and place into a moderate oven for20-30 mins or until the cheese is bubbling and the breadcrumbs are starting to brown. Serve with a rocket salad and warm ciabatta bread. Great cooked in a large dish and served at the table so people can help themselves.

PASTA WITH 5 CHEESES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
• 2. Boil pasta two minutes less than the package directs in plenty of well-salted water and set aside. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the cream, crushed tomatoes, basil, 1 1/2 cups of Italian cheese blend, and gorgonzola cheese
• 3. Add cooked pasta to the cream and cheese mixture. Stir to combine. Pour into prepared casserole dish and top with remaining 1/2 cup of Italian cheese blend. Bake for 30 minutes, or until top is browned slightly and pasta is bubbling hot. Serve immediately

FIVE CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spray a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Boil pasta one minute less than the package directs in plenty of salted water.
• Drain pasta.
• Add the chopped spinach leaves to the hot cooked pasta. Toss evenly and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the cream, ff half and half, garlic, basil, thyme, salt, crushed tomatoes, and cheeses.
• Add hot cooked pasta/spinach mixture to the cream and cheese mixture.
• Stir to combine.
• Pour into prepared casserole dish.
• Bake for 30 minutes, or until top is browned slightly and pasta is bubbling hot. Serve immediately.